Salford approves BBC phase of Media City
Peel Holdings has been granted detailed planning consent for the all-important BBC element of the £360m Media City in Salford Quays.
Salford City Council approved the Fairhursts-designed plans for 260,000 sq ft of studios, alongside 34,400 sq ft of offices, a 120,000 sq ft hotel, 168 homes, and a 2,116-space car park.
The studio block will be flanked by two towers, one 17-storey and the other 21-storey, at the two rear corners of the building. The uses of the towers has yet to be decided.
Preparatory work on Media City began by main contractor Bovis last year. In total the 200-acre site will hold more than 1m sq ft of offices, 532 apartments, a five-acre park, a new Metrolink tram station, car parking, hotels, retail and leisure.
Peel remains in protracted talks with Salford University over a relocation of its media, arts and social studies faculty.
The first BBC staff from five relocating departments are due to arrive at the end of 2010.
Cushman & Wakefield is the sole letting agent on the office element.
